[C320-list] Pointing to the wind

[Scott Thompson]

   I meant to write that the genoa should not be far off the upper
   spreaders...

   On 6/4/2015 2:43 PM, Scott Thompson wrote:

     Ted, I have a 145% Genoa (UK Tape Drive, still in good shape, which
     matters a lot for this). I routinely sail in more wind than that
     with no reef and full genoa and point much higher with good speed. I
     think my best VMG is at about 33-35 degrees apparent wind angle with
     20 knots apparent wind speed. You are far from that, and I suggest
     that either your sails are blown out or you need to work harder on
     sail trim.  You should not have to reef with winds under 15 knots,
     and the fact that you are doing so suggests a problem with sail
     condition or trim.
     Assuming a sail in good shape, I suspect your leads are too far
     forward and that your genoa is thus not flat enough when fully
     trimmed. It should not be off the upper spreaders but close to the
     shrouds near the deck. With my slightly smaller sail I routinely
     place the leads with pin in the fifth hole from the stern. This lets
     me flatten the bottom part of the genoa without  choking off the
     top. Having a sail that is too full or choking off the slot by
     putting the leads too far forward will cause you to have a lot of
     weather helm and a temptation to reef. If you feel overpowered,
     better to ease the mainsheet and vang a little to spill some air
     from the top of the main. Maybe pull the traveller a bit further to
     weather to keep the bottom part of the main drawing when you ease
     the mainsheet. But keep that genoa as flat as you can, unless you
     decide to crack off for waves, or the wind goes very light.  Do not
     rely too much on where other people pin the genoa leads since the
     best placement depends a lot on the exact cut and condition of the
     sail.
     We do not race our boat but I am very sensitive to sail trim issues
     since I do race a lot on OPB and have a lot of experience in other
     boats of all sizes. Based on that experience I would suggest that
     you stop looking at the wind instruments and focus on how you are
     doing relative to other boats. Experiment a lot too! You may also
     need to work on steering. I've found that for best pointing the
     windward telltales should be dancing upward every now and then but
     never the leeward ones. If you are looking at the wind indicator you
     cannot be steering efficiently upwind.
     I can't emphasize how important it is to have a good genoa for
     upwind performance. The biggest single improvement in my boat's
     sailing performance came when I ditched the OEM 155% and bought a
     good 145% headsail. I went with the 145 rather than the 155 since
     for cruising I'd rather be able to sail comfortably when it is
     blowing 25 than when it is blowing 5.
     Regarding port/starboard symmetry, I believe the boat is pretty
     symmetric in terms of upwind performance. However my wind instrument
     says otherwise, which is a sign that I need to recalibrate the
     instrument. I trust my own sense of the boat's performance much more
     than that instrument, and I know I am doing well when I pass bigger
     boats upwind in 20 knots apparent wind, which is pretty common when
     the wind is up. For a cruising design, the 320 is a very good
     performer, even with the wing keel.
     On 6/4/2015 1:04 PM, Dean Vermeire wrote:

     Ted,
     In my humble opinion, if I wanted better upwind performance and
     wanted to point higher, I would:
      * Shake out the reef of the main
      * Bring the boom more towards the centerline by taking the traveler
        more to wind and/or trimming the mainsheet, depending on the wind
      * Use a smaller headsail or roll in the genny, as needed
      * Adjustments to the vang, cunningham, backstay, outhaul, halyards,
     etc...
     I routinely point higher than 40 degrees, but there is certainly a
     law of diminishing returns.
     On 6/4/2015 11:18 AM, [1]tharrison at innovations-plus.com wrote:

     155 percent, cars 6 pins from stern, tight and ticklers flying
     parallel to each other
     Main was reefed. About  30 degrees from the center line.
     Traveller set above center line to windward.
     Not rough
     Ted
     Sent from my iPhone

     On Jun 4, 2015, at 9:31 AM, Dean Vermeire [2]<dean at vermeire.us>
     wrote:
     Hi Ted,
     What headsail were you flying?
     How were your headsail and mainsail trimmed?  How high did you have
     your traveler set?
     Were the seas rough?
     Dean Vermeire
     Moonstruck II (#847)

     On 6/4/2015 7:42 AM, [3]tharrison at innovations-plus.com wrote:
     Just wondering how close can you point to the wind?
     Last night we had 10 to 14 knots of wind. I found that as soon as I
     pointed below 40 degrees speed deceased.
     Are you able  to point the same on a port and starboard tack?
     Ted hull 424
     Sent from my iPhone

References

   1. mailto:tharrison at innovations-plus.com
   2. mailto:dean at vermeire.us
   3. mailto:tharrison at innovations-plus.com